Samson edges R.C. Hatch 58-53 for 2A girls state hoops title
BIRMINGHAM, AL ( ahsaa.com) —Samson’s 58-53 victory over R.C. Hatch in the AHSAA State Basketball Finals Class 2A girls’ championship game at the BJCC Legacy Arena was a tale of two halves Friday morning.
Coach Chad McKnight’s Lady Tigers (32-2) outscored the Lady Bobcats (23-6) 24-6 in the second quarter to build a 31-10 lead. Things changed, however in the second half as Coach Willie Morgan’s team fought back to pull within four points with a 21-point run to cut the margin to 51-47.R.C. Hatch cut it to two, 53-51, with 1:50 to play, but senior point guard Janesha Green made three free throws and Isis McGhee nailed a short jumper to held the Tigers turn back the tremendous comeback effort. Hatch outscored Samson 41-28 in the second half.
Green, the Class 2A state tournament MVP, finished with eight points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals for Samson. LaTascya Duff had 14 points and eight rebounds, LaTora Duff had 13 points and Summer Stacy added 12 points for the Tigers. The Duff sisters joined Green on the all-tourney team.
Ka’Lasha Patterson led R.C. Hatch with 21 points and 14 rebounds. She had 15 points in the second half. Miranda Jones chipped in 12 points.
Samson, which won the state title in 2006 and 2007, forced 29 turnovers, but only nine in the last two quarters.
Championship action continues Friday at the BJCC Legacy Arena with championship games for Class 3A and 4A. Saturday’s championship slate (5A, 6A and 7A) closes out the 2016 championships.
